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When we听first heard about Emily VanderStel and her ambitious goal of running a听half-marathon in every U.S. state, we knew this was a story we had to hear听firsthand. Her journey is one of determination, community, and embracing听challenges, all while balancing a thriving career at 麻豆直播app (JM). We听sat down with her to find out what inspired her to take on all 50 states - because let鈥檚 face it, that鈥檚 a lot of running 鈥� and to hear about the lessons听learned and the incredible experiences she鈥檚 had along the way.

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From听Colorado to Finance and Beyond

Growing up听in Colorado, Emily always felt at home in the Rockies. After college, she spent听a decade at John Deere in Iowa/Illinois, building her career in finance, before听returning to Colorado to work at JM. For the past two and a half years, she鈥檚听been applying her expertise as a Senior Finance Analyst, evaluating pricing,听collaborating with Key Account Managers, and ensuring forecasts are on point.

鈥淚t鈥檚 the听hands-on experience I love here,鈥� she said. 鈥淎t JM, I feel close to what we听create, and the culture here is something special. During my job interview, I听could tell this was a company that values its people, and that really resonated听with me.鈥�

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The听Unexpected Runner

If you had听told her years ago that she鈥檇 be running half-marathons, she might have听laughed. 鈥淚鈥檝e never been a runner,鈥� she admitted. 鈥淔or me, it鈥檚 more about the听community. I鈥檓 still not super in love with running itself, but I do love what听it brings - accomplishment, connection, and adventure.鈥�

It all听started as a personal challenge with her best friend from college. Together,听they decided to run half-marathons across all 50 states. That first race听sparked something addictive: 鈥淚t鈥檚 the sense of achievement and the camaraderie听of the running community that keeps me going.鈥�

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And why听half-marathons? 鈥淚t鈥檚 short enough to be achievable but still requires you to听train for it and put effort in. Plus, half-marathons aren鈥檛 as frequent as听shorter races, so you鈥檙e forced to commit and train for a specific race,鈥� she听explained.听

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Running听Across America

So far,听she鈥檚 checked six states off her list: Alabama, Wyoming, Arizona, Wisconsin,听North Carolina, and Nebraska. Next up? Ottawa, Illinois听through trails of Starved Rock State Park. Each race has听brought unique experiences, but one stands out.

鈥淭he race听in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, was both my favorite and the hardest. It started in听downtown Jackson and ended in Teton Village, right at the base of the听mountains. I had just started working at JM that week, so it was memorable in听so many ways.鈥�

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Not every听race has been smooth sailing. Reflecting on a race in Asheville, North听Carolina, she shared a bittersweet moment. 鈥淲e ran through the historic arts听district, which was later devastated by Hurricane Helene. Knowing I experienced听that area before it was destroyed makes it even more special.鈥�

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Training,听Community, and Balance

Training听for two half-marathons a year is no small feat, but she鈥檚 found her rhythm.听Morning runs on the High Line Canal trail near her home and weekend long runs听are part of her routine. Over time, she鈥檚 transitioned from focusing on听distance to improving speed and refining her approach to nutrition plans.听

Even though听she trains alone most of the time, she鈥檚 never without support when it鈥檚 race听time. Her best friend and race partner brings experience (two Ironmans under听her belt), and her husband, though not a runner, is always there for support.听鈥淗e loves to record videos of himself eating donuts while I鈥檓 finishing the听race,鈥� she laughed. Friends from across the country have also reconnected听through her journey, cheering her on or offering a place to stay near race听locations.

And after听every race? 鈥淲e love exploring the local brewery scene and restaurants. It鈥檚 a听great way to celebrate and combine running with travelling and immerse听ourselves in the local culture.鈥�

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Motivation,听Work and Lessons Learned

So, what听keeps her going on tough days? 鈥淜nowing that if I don鈥檛 train, I鈥檒l feel it听during the race,鈥� she explained. 鈥淭raining runs set you up for success.鈥� She鈥檚听also learned to listen to her body. 鈥淣ot every day has to be good. Some days,听I鈥檒l start a run and realize it鈥檚 just not my day. I鈥檒l turn around, go home,听and try again tomorrow - and that鈥檚 okay.鈥�

Her running听journey has also had a positive impact on her work. 鈥淲hen I鈥檓 running, I work听better because I get my blood moving, and it helps me clear my head. Also, when听working on challenging projects, sometimes you just have to put your head down听and get through it. It鈥檚 the same mindset as running a tough race.鈥�

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Running has听also taught her resilience. 鈥淭hese races have shown me that I can do hard听things. I鈥檓 not naturally a runner, but I can still accomplish this. It鈥檚听inspiring to see people of all ages, shapes, and backgrounds out there, too - cancer听survivors, people overcoming so much. It鈥檚 proof that anyone can do it.鈥�

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Looking听Ahead

With 44听states still to go, Emily knows this is a long journey that will take time and听dedication. But when we asked her what鈥檚 next after conquering all states, she听said: 鈥淚鈥檇 love to run races in other countries, maybe even one on each听continent. Combining travel and running is such a perfect way to see the听world.鈥�

Her journey听isn鈥檛 just about crossing finish lines - it鈥檚 about embracing life鈥檚听challenges, finding joy in the journey, and inspiring others along the way.听Whether she鈥檚 reviewing financial forecasts or lacing up for a race, Emily听proves that with determination and community, you can achieve incredible听things.

So, what鈥檚听stopping you from chasing your next goal? As she says, 鈥淭he reward at the end听of the day is always worth it.鈥�